PetaPixel

Humans like preserving their memories. That’s one of the big reasons we take pictures. What if you didn’t need to actively do anything to preserve those memories? What if you could simply wear cameras that constantly capture photos and videos that are safely stored for your later viewing pleasure? With the rate at which technology — particularly storage technology — is increasing, we may soon find “lifestreaming” to be the next big thing.

Microsoft apparently thinks so, and wants a big piece of that pie. The company has filed a patent for “life streaming”, and hopes to one day be the data store for all your passively-recorded memories.
Here’s the abstract found in the patent application:

A system and method for analyzing, summarizing, and transmitting life experiences captured using a life recorder is described. A life recorder is a recording device that continuously captures life experiences, including unanticipated life experiences, in video and/or audio recordings. In some embodiments, the video and/or audio recordings generated by a life recorder are automatically summarized, indexed, and stored for future use. By indexing and storing life recordings, a life recorder may search for and acquire life recordings generated by itself or another life recorder, thereby allowing life experiences to be shared minutes or even years later. In some embodiments, recordings generated by a life recorder may be analyzed in real-time and automatically pushed to one or more target devices. The ability to automatically and instantaneously push life recordings as live feeds to one or more target devices allows friends and family to experience one’s life experience in real-time.

In the Harry Potter series, there’s a magical object called the Pensieve, which allows wizards and witches to store and review memories. If lifestreaming catches on, we Muggles may find ourselves with something that’s quite similar. Imagine being able to strap on a pair of virtual reality goggles and relive someone else’s memories!